Flames general manager Jay Feaster says the trade of veteran defenseman Robyn Regehr to the Buffalo Sabres cleared enough room under the salary cap to sign Tanguay, who led the Flames with 47 assists in his first season with the team. He scored 22 goals.

Flames captain Jarome Iginla was eager for the team to bring back Tanguay. Feaster says the front office decided that Tanguay was a better option than any of the available free agents on the market this summer.